Systems and methods for managing ambient conditions

ABSTRACT

A system for generating ambient conditions to improve sleep comprises an ambient condition controller. The ambient condition controller may control a light, a speaker, and multiple diffusers. The system may include a computer-readable non-transitory storage medium having instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to implement a sleep program. The sleep program may cause the ambient condition controller to be configured in a variety of states over a period of time.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/390,174, filed Dec. 23, 2016, which is hereby incorporated byreference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosure relates to systems for generating ambient conditions, andmore specifically, to generating ambient conditions to improve sleep.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

This disclosure includes and references the accompanying drawings, whichprovide a more particular description of the embodiments disclosedherein. The disclosure, however, is not limited to the particularembodiments depicted in the figures. The teachings of the disclosure maybe utilized and/or adapted to other embodiments, and/or changes may bemade to the disclosed embodiments, without departing from the scope ofthe disclosure.

FIG. 1A is a block diagram of one embodiment of an ambient sleep system;

FIG. 1B is a block diagram of an ambient sleep system coupled to apersonal electronic device, according to one embodiment;

FIG. 1C is a block diagram of an ambient sleep system with a sleepmonitoring device, according to one embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a graph depicting a sleep program, according to oneembodiment;

FIG. 3 is a flow chart of one embodiment of a method for generatingambient sleep conditions based on sleep monitoring data;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an ambient sleep system, according toone embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a top view of an ambient sleep system, according to oneembodiment;

FIG. 6 is a cutaway view of an ambient sleep system, according to oneembodiment;

FIG. 7 is a base of an ambient sleep system, according to oneembodiment; and

FIG. 8 is an ambient sleep system with a replacement shade, according toone embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Sleep is one of the basic fundamental needs of humans. Unfortunately,sleep is often interrupted because of an uncontrolled sleepingenvironment resulting in sudden noises, unanticipated light,unsatisfactory temperature and the like. Disclosed herein areembodiments of apparatus, systems, and methods for automaticallygenerating ambient conditions to improve sleep (ambient sleep systemsand methods). Ambient sleep systems may include a processor, an ambientcondition controller, and a storage medium containing a sleep programwith operating instruction to configure the ambient conditioncontroller.

In one embodiment, the ambient condition controller may include at leasttwo diffusers. Each diffuser may be capable of dispersing a differentscent. Further, the sleep program may contain instructions to configurethe ambient condition controller to enter a first state while the useris falling asleep, a second state while the user is asleep, and a thirdstate while the user is waking up.

In the first state corresponding to the user falling to sleep, theambient condition controller may disperse a first scent. The first scentmay be diffused from an essential oil intended to assist the user inrelaxing, including but not limited to: lavender, jasmine, rose,sandalwood, or the like. The ambient condition controller may remain inthe first state for a length of time as specified by the sleep program(first cycle interval). During the first cycle interval, the intensityof the first scent may be varied. For example, the first scent may beginthe first cycle interval with a first intensity then logarithmicallydecrease the intensity as the first cycle interval progresses.

In the second state corresponding to the user being asleep, the ambientcondition controller may disperse a second scent. The second scent maybe diffused from an essential oil intended to assist the user withsleeping. For example, the second scent may be the same scent as thefirst scent, a different quantity of the same scent, or a similar scent.The ambient condition controller may remain in the second state for alength of time as specified by the sleep program (second cycleinterval). During the second cycle interval, the intensity of the secondscent may be varied. For example, the ambient sleep system may detect auser walking up prior to a desired time. In response, the ambientcondition controller may increase the intensity of the second scent.Alternatively, the second scent may only be dispersed if the ambientsleep system may detect a user walking up prior to a desired time.

In the third state corresponding to the user being asleep, the ambientcondition controller may disperse a third scent. The third scent may bediffused from an essential oil intended to assist the user with wakingup, including but not limited to: citrus, peppermint, rosemary,eucalyptus, or the like. The ambient condition controller may remain inthe third state for a length of time as specified by the sleep program(third cycle interval). During the third cycle interval, the intensityof the third scent may be varied. For example, the third scent may beginthe first cycle interval with a first intensity then exponentiallyincrease the intensity as the first cycle interval progresses.

In some embodiments, the ambient sleep system may include a receiver toreceive sleep monitoring data from a sleep monitoring device. The sleepmonitoring device may be associated with the ambient sleep system or aseparate third-party device, such as a smartwatch, a fitness tracker, acellular phone, sensor pad, or the like. The ambient sleep system maydetermine a sleep state of a user based on the received sleep monitoringdata. The sleep program may contain instructions that configure theambient condition controller based on the sleep state. For example, theambient condition controller may enter a first state in response todetermining the user is awake and attempting to fall to sleep, a secondstate in response to determining the user is awakening prior to a targettime period, and a third state in response to determining the user isawakening within a target time period. Further, the ambient conditioncontroller may enter another embodiment in response to determining theuser is asleep. The state may be altered based on the sleep stage. Forexample, the ambient condition controller may enter a certain state inresponse to determining the user is in a rapid eye movement stage ofsleep, and a different state in response to determining the user is in anon-rapid eye movement stage of sleep. Each of these states may define aunique ambient condition.

The ambient conditions may be generated by devices in communication withthe ambient condition controller. The ambient condition controller maybe configured to send and receive signals to a plurality of devices tomonitor and adjust ambient conditions. In some embodiments, the devicesmay be local to the ambient condition controller. In other embodiments,the ambient condition controller may communicate with a set ofperipheral devices that are remote from the ambient controller. In yetother embodiments, the ambient condition controller may use acombination of local devices and remote peripheral devices to generateambient conditions.

In some embodiments, the devices may include speakers, diffusers, and anillumination device. The illumination device may be capable of producingdifferent hues and adjusting the brightness level. The hue and thebrightness level of the illumination device may be altered based on thestate of the ambient condition controller. For example, when the ambientcondition controller is in a state corresponding to falling to sleep,the light brightness level may become dimmer over time. Whereas, whenthe ambient condition controller is in a state corresponding to wakingup, the light brightness may gradually adapt the brightness and/or hueto simulate a sunrise. Similarly the audio from the speakers and scentfrom the diffusers may vary based on the state of the ambient conditioncontroller. By using speakers, diffusers, and an illumination device,the ambient condition controller may control, or at least mask, thesurroundings of a user. The devices may be integrated in one structuresuch as a lamp.

In other embodiments, peripheral devices may be physically separatedthroughout a room or a house, but communicatively coupled to the ambientcondition controller. For example, the ambient condition controller maycommunicate with personal electronic devices (PEDs), appliances, andhousehold systems such as the HVAC system, fans, lights, home theatersystems and the like. These peripheral devices may allow the ambientcondition controller to create more immersive surroundings. Forinstance, by communicating with the HVAC system, the ambient conditioncontroller may lower the temperature when a user is asleep.

In some embodiments, the sleep program may be user defined and/orconfigurable. For example, the user may select the scent, lightingconditions, and sound for each of the states of the ambient conditioncontroller. The duration the ambient condition controller remains ineach of the states may also be configurable. For example, a user mayprogram the duration of each state prior to the sleep program begins.Alternatively or additionally, the ambient sleep system may include aninterface to receive a user input indicating that the user fallingasleep faster or slower than normal. The ambient sleep system may adjustthe duration of a state based on the user input. For example, inresponse to the user input, the ambient sleep system may enter anotherstate, reduce the remaining duration of the current state, or extend theremaining duration of the current state.

The sleep program may be time based, duration based, or sleep cyclebased. For example, the ambient condition controller may beautomatically configured to enter certain states based on the time ofday. Alternatively, a user may supply a desired sleep duration and thesleep program may adapt based on the desired sleep duration. Forexample, a user may specify the amount of hours he/she desires to sleep,or the number of sleep cycles.

In some embodiments, the sleep program may be adaptable based on sleepmonitoring data from a sleep monitoring device. For example, the lengthof time that the ambient condition controller remains in each state maybe determined based on sleep monitoring data. For instance, the ambientcondition controller may remain in a state corresponding to a userfalling to sleep until the sleep monitoring data indicates that the useris asleep.

In some embodiments, the user may specify a target wake time and a wakewindow. The target wake time may be the time the user desires to wakeup. The wake window may be a period of time the user is willing to wakeup during. For example, the user may set the target wake time to 7:00 AMand the wake window between 6:30 AM-7:00 AM. If the sleep monitoringdata indicates that the user is waking up during the wake window, theambient condition controller may enter a state associated with wakingup. The duration and the intensity of the ambient condition may beadapted based on the time until the target wake time. For instance, theambient condition controller may extend the state associated with wakingup so that the user wakes up as close to the target wake time aspossible while ensuring the user does not fall back into a deeper sleepcycle.

In some embodiments, the ambient sleep monitor may be configured tocommunicate with a PED. For example, a user may use a smart phoneapplication to configure the sleep program and/or the current state ofthe ambient condition controller. The smart phone application may alsobe used to access sleep monitoring data, such as sleep metrics. Further,the ambient sleep system may adjust the PED as part of an ambientcondition state. For example, the ambient sleep system may request tochange settings of the PED when the ambient condition controller enterseach state. For instance, when the ambient condition controller enters astate associated with falling to sleep, the PED screen may be dimmed andthe notifications silenced.

Additional details and examples are provided with reference to thefigures below. Generally speaking, the systems and methods disclosedherein may be adapted to interface with or be included as part of anyenvironmental control systems, such as smart home systems, lightingsystems, alarm systems, and the like.

Embodiments may include various steps, which may be embodied inmachine-executable instructions to be executed by a computer system. Acomputer system may include one or more general-purpose orspecial-purpose computers (or other electronic devices). The computersystem may include hardware components that include specific logic forperforming the steps or may include a combination of hardware, software,and/or firmware.

Some of the infrastructure that can be used with embodiments disclosedherein is already available, such as: general-purpose computers,computer programming tools and techniques, digital storage media, andcommunications networks. A computer may include a processor, such as amicroprocessor, microcontroller, logic circuitry, or the like. Theprocessor may include a special-purpose processing device, such as anASIC, PAL, PLA, PLD, CPLD, Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), orother customized or programmable device. The computer may also include acomputer-readable storage device, such as non-volatile memory, staticRAM, dynamic RAM, ROM, CD-ROM, disk, tape, magnetic, optical, flashmemory, or other computer-readable storage medium.

Suitable networks for configuration and/or use, as described herein,include any of a wide variety of network infrastructures. Specifically,a network may incorporate landlines, wireless communication, opticalconnections, various modulators, demodulators, small form-factorpluggable (SFP) transceivers, routers, hubs, switches, and/or othernetworking equipment.

The network may include communications or networking software, such assoftware available from Novell, Microsoft, Artisoft, and other vendors,and may operate using TCP/IP, SPX, IPX, SONET, and other protocols overtwisted pair, coaxial, or optical fiber cables, telephone lines,satellites, microwave relays, modulated AC power lines, physical mediatransfer, wireless radio links, and/or other data transmission “wires.”The network may encompass smaller networks and/or be connectable toother networks through a gateway or similar mechanism.

Aspects of certain embodiments described herein may be implemented assoftware modules or components. As used herein, a software module orcomponent may include any type of computer instruction orcomputer-executable code located within or on a computer-readablestorage medium, such as a non-transitory computer-readable medium. Asoftware module may, for instance, comprise one or more physical orlogical blocks of computer instructions, which may be organized as aroutine, program, object, component, data structure, etc., that performone or more tasks or implement particular data types, algorithms, and/ormethods. Various modules may be implemented in hardware, software,firmware, and/or a combination thereof.

A particular software module may comprise disparate instructions storedin different locations of a computer-readable storage medium, whichtogether implement the described functionality of the module. Indeed, amodule may comprise a single instruction or many instructions, and maybe distributed over several different code segments, among differentprograms, and across several computer-readable storage media. Someembodiments may be practiced in a distributed computing environmentwhere tasks are performed by a remote processing device linked through acommunications network. In a distributed computing environment, softwaremodules may be located in local and/or remote computer-readable storagemedia. In addition, data being tied or rendered together in a databaserecord may be resident in the same computer-readable storage medium, oracross several computer-readable storage media, and may be linkedtogether in fields of a record in a database across a network.

The embodiments of the disclosure can be understood by reference to thedrawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout.The components of the disclosed embodiments, as generally described andillustrated in the figures herein, could be arranged and designed in awide variety of different configurations. Thus, the following detaileddescription of the embodiments of the systems and methods of thedisclosure is not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, asclaimed, but is merely representative of possible embodiments.

FIG. 1A is a block diagram of one embodiment of an ambient sleep system100. The ambient sleep system 100 may comprise a processor 130, ahuman-machine interface (HMI) 140, an ambient condition controller 160,and memory 170. A bus 120 may interconnect various integrated and/ordiscrete components. These components may allow the ambient sleep systemto generate ambient conditions according to a sleep program 172.

The processor 130 may include one or more general purpose devices, suchas an Intel®, AMD®, or other standard microprocessor. The processor 130may include a special purpose processing device, such as ASIC, SoC, SiP,FPGA, PAL, PLA, FPLA, PLD, or other customized or programmable device.The processor 130 may perform distributed (e.g., parallel) processing toexecute or otherwise implement functionalities of the presentlydisclosed embodiments.

The memory 170 may include static RAM, dynamic RAM, flash memory, one ormore flip-flops, ROM, CD-ROM, DVD, disk, tape, or magnetic, optical, orother computer storage medium. The memory 170 may include one or moresleep programs 172. The memory 170 may be local to ambient sleep system100, as shown, or may be distributed and/or remote relative to ambientsleep system 100.

The memory 170 may store one or more sleep programs such as sleepprogram 172. The one or more sleep programs may be pre-programmed or maybe created by a user. The sleep programs are adjustable based on a userinput. The one or more sleep programs may define an ambient conditionschedule. The ambient condition schedule may be a timeline thatindicates various changes in scents, sounds, and lighting. The sleepprogram 172 may include instructions defining a series of states (i.e.,state A 174, state B 176, state C 178). The states may include operatingparameters/configurations for remote and local devices such as theambient condition controller 160.

The ambient condition controller 160 may include at least two diffusers(i.e., diffuser A 162, and Diffuser B 164), a speaker 166, and a light168. As shown, in some embodiments, the diffusers 162 and 164, speaker166, and the light 168 may be local to the ambient condition controller160. In alternative embodiments, the ambient condition controller 160may control a plurality of remote diffusers, a remote speaker, and/or aremote light. The diffusers 162, 164 may each disperse a unique scent.The ambient condition controller 160 may configure the diffusers 162,164, the speaker 166, and the light 168 (local devices) to produce avariety of ambient conditions.

When the processor 130 executes the sleep program 172 stored in memory170, the ambient condition controller 160 may configure the localdevices according to state A 174, state B 176, state C 178 as scheduledby the sleep program 172. For example, state A 174 may correspond to theuser falling to sleep. The operating parameters may instruct diffuser A162 to disperse its scent, speaker 166 to produce sounds of ocean waves,and light 168 to change hues to replicate a sunset. Further, theoperating parameters may instruct diffuser A 162 to gradually reduce theintensity of the scent, speaker 166 to gradually reduce the volume ofthe sounds, and the light 168 to gradually reduce the brightness level.

The HMI 140 may facilitate interfacing with the ambient sleep system100. The HMI 140 may comprise one or more input/output components, suchas buttons, switches, displays, and the like. The HMI 150 may comprise astatus indicator configured to display and/or communicate statusinformation pertaining to the ambient sleep system 100, such as currentsleep program, time remaining in the sleep program, current state of theambient condition controller, scent name, and so on. In someembodiments, the status indicator may comprise one or more visualindicators, such as a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), one or more lightemitting diodes, or the like. The HMI 150 may further comprise an inputcomponent configured to receive user input and/or configurationinformation, such as sleep program parameters, desired sleep time and/orambient condition controller state adjustments. For example, the aninput may enable a user to indicate that he is falling asleepfaster/slower than normal, which may cause the ambient sleep system 100to adjust the cycle accordingly (e.g., cut the sleep cycle off early, orextend the cycle).

In some embodiments, the HMI 150 may include a microphone. Themicrophone may receive voice commands. In some embodiments, the ambientsleep system 100 may interface with a voice assistant. The ambient sleepsystem 100 may include the voice assistant, or may use the voiceassistant of a connected PED. The voice commands may control the ambientconditions. For example, a user may use voice commands to dim thelighting, increase the volume, or alter the scent. Voice commands mayalso cause the ambient sleep system 100 to enter the sleep program 172.

In some embodiments, the ambient sleep system 100 may also use themicrophone to monitor a user and automatically adjust ambientconditions. For example, the microphone may pick up noises consistentwith interrupted sleep, and the ambient sleep system 100 may alterconditions to encourage a user to enter a deeper sleep state. Theambient sleep system 100 may detect specific noise characteristics todetermine the current state of a user. For instance, the sound ofadjusting sleep positions may have different noise characteristics thana user getting out of bed. The ambient sleep system 100 may bepreprogramed to identify states of a user based on profiled noisecharacteristics. Additionally, the ambient sleep system 100 may learnand adjust noise characteristics to identify states of a user.

FIG. 1B is a block diagram of an ambient sleep system 100 coupled to apersonal electronic device 190, according to one embodiment. As shown,in addition to the features described with reference to FIG. 1A, theambient sleep system may include some type of network interface 150 andcouple with a PED 190 through a physical connection 142. The physicalconnection 142 may be a USB port, lightening port, or other powered dataport.

The ambient sleep system 100 may communicate with, control, and chargethe connected PED 190 through the physical connection 142. For example,the ambient sleep system 100 may supress the PED's notifications.Additionally, the ambient sleep system 100 may use the features of thePED 190 to generate an ambient condition. For example, the ambient sleepsystem 100 may use the screen of the PED 190 as a light. The ambientsleep system 100 may also use the speaker of the PED 190 to generatesound for the ambient condition.

The PED 190 may have an application 192 installed thereon that enablesthe PED 190 to communicate with and control the ambient sleep system100. The application 192 may provide a graphical user interface toadjust settings on the ambient sleep system. The application 192 mayalso allow a user to create ambient programs such as the sleep programdiscussed with reference to FIG. 2. The PED 190 may also communicatewith the ambient sleep system over the network interface 150.

The network interface 394 may facilitate communication with othercomputing devices, networks and/or remote devices including the PED 190.The network interface 394 may be equipped with conventional networkconnectivity, such as, for example, Bluetooth, Ethernet (IEEE 802.3),Token Ring (IEEE 802.5), Fiber Distributed Datalink Interface (FDDI), orAsynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM). The network interface 150 may be oneor more wireless transceiver, such as, for example, a WI-FI transceiver,Bluetooth transceiver, ZigBee transceiver, or the like. Further, thenetwork interface 394 may be configured to support a variety of networkprotocols such as, for example, Internet Protocol (IP), Transfer ControlProtocol (TCP), Network File System over UDP/TCP, Server Message Block(SMB), Microsoft® Common Internet File System (CIFS), Hypertext TransferProtocols (HTTP), Direct Access File System (DAFS), File TransferProtocol (FTP), Real-Time Publish Subscribe (RTPS), Open SystemsInterconnection (OSI) protocols, Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP),Secure Shell (SSH), Secure Socket Layer (SSL), and so forth.

The network interface 150 may be used to communicate with remote devicesthat can enhance the ambient conditions. For example, the networkinterface 150 may connect the ambient sleep system 100 to a homeautomation system, a thermostat, a home lighting system, or the like.The sleep program 172 may provide operating parameters for remotedevices as well as the ambient condition controller. In someembodiments, the network interface 150 may communicate with otherambient sleep systems. In such embodiments, the sleep programs, states,and other configuration of one ambient sleep system may be transmittedto another sleep system.

FIG. 1C is a block diagram of an ambient sleep system 100 with a sleepmonitoring device 180, according to one embodiment As shown, in additionto the features described with reference to FIGS. 1A and 1B, the ambientsleep system may include a sleep monitoring device 180. In otherembodiments, the sleep monitoring device may be an external third partydevice. The sleep monitoring device 180 may capture informationregarding the user's state (awake, asleep, sleep cycle, etc.). Based onthe state of the user, the ambient sleep monitor may configure theambient condition controller to a corresponding state. For example, ifthe sleep monitoring device detects that the user is falling to sleep,the ambient condition controller 160 may be configured in state A 174.Additionally, the length of each ambient condition controller state 174,176, 178 may be determined based on the sleep monitoring data from thesleep monitoring device 180.

FIG. 2 is a graph depicting a sleep program 200, according to oneembodiment. The sleep program 200 is illustrated as an ambient conditionintensity 202 along a timeline 204. The ambient condition measured mayinclude sound, light, and/or scent. Accordingly, the ambient conditionintensity 202 may be measured in decibels, lumens, hues, orconcentration. The illustrated sleep program 200 may be configured bythe user. The sleep program 200 may be comprised of four phases: a relaxphase 210, a sleep phase 220, a soothe phase 230, and a wake phase 240.

The relax phase 210 may be associated with a user falling to sleep. Therelax phase 210 may last for a certain duration beginning at time Ts 212and ending at time Ts+x 214. The duration may be a pre-set constant oradjustable. For example, sleep data from a sleep monitoring device mayindicate that the user has fallen to sleep before time Ts+x 214. Insteadof continuing to time Ts+x 214, the relax phase 210 may be completed.The relax phase 210 may begin with high intensity ambient conditions andthen gradually decrease until Ts+x 214. For example, a light mayinitially be set to its brightest level, and a diffuser disperse asignificant amount of scent. As time Ts+x 214 approaches, the brightnesslevel and scent concentration may be decreased. The gradual decrease ofambient conditions may assist a user in falling to sleep. In someembodiments, the relax phase 210 may simulate a sunset. In otherembodiments, the user may select settings that they have found help themrelax.

The sleep phase 220 may be associated with a user being asleep. Thesleep phase 220 may last for a certain duration beginning at time Ts+x214 and ending at time Tw 242. The duration may be constant oradjustable. For example, the user may select a desired duration ofsleep, a desired number of sleep cycles, or a specific wake time. Insome embodiments, the sleep phase 220 may comprise a consistent of lowintensity ambient conditions. In some embodiments, the sleep phase 220may include white noise at a low decibel level and/or scent at a lowconcentration. In other embodiments, the sleep phase 220 the ambientsleep system may produce no ambient conditions. In yet otherembodiments, the ambient sleep system may produce varying ambientconditions based on the sleep stage a user is in. The ambient conditionsgenerated during the sleep phase 220 may assist a user in stayingasleep. In some embodiments, the sleep phase 220 may be predefined. Inother embodiments, the user may select settings that they have foundhelp them sleep. In yet other embodiments, the same ambient conditionspresent in the relax phase 210 may be used at a lower intensity.

The sleep phase 220 may be interrupted by the soothe phase 230 if theambient sleep system detects the user is waking prior to a wake window246 (i.e., between time Tw 242 and Tw+x 244). The soothe phase 230 maylast for a duration beginning at time Ta 232 and ending at time Ta+x234. The duration may be a pre-set constant or adjustable. For example,sleep data from a sleep monitoring device may indicate that the user haswoken up at time Ta 232 and fallen bake to sleep before time Ta+x 234.Instead of continuing to time Ta+x 234, the soothe phase 230 may becompleted. The soothe phase 230 may gradually increase in intensityuntil the ambient conditions reach a target level and then plateaubefore gradually descending. The ambient conditions generated during thesoothe phase 230 may assist a user in falling back to sleep.

In some embodiments, the soothe phase 230 may be predefined. In otherembodiments, the user may select settings that they have found help themsleep. In yet other embodiments, the same ambient conditions present inthe relax phase 210 or the sleep phase 220 may be used. In someembodiments, the soothe phase 230 may have different ambient conditionsbased on the alertness of the user. For example, a user rolling over mayincrease the amount of scent released by the diffuser, whereas a usergetting out of bed may turn the light on.

The wake phase 240 may be associated with a user waking up. The wakephase 240 may last for a certain duration beginning at time Tw 242 andending at time Tw+x 244. The duration may be a pre-set constant oradjustable. For example, the user may set a wake window 246 and a targetwake time. The wake window 246 specifying the earliest and latest a userdesires to wake up. The wake time may specify the exact time a userdesires to wake. The wake time may be the end of the wake window orsomewhere in the middle. Further, in some embodiments, the wake phase240 may begin after the wake window has begun if the sleep ambientsystem is configured to wait for a user to come out of a sleep cycle.The wake phase 240 may begin with low intensity ambient conditions andthen gradually increase until time Tw+x 244. After time Tw+x 244, theambient sleep system may maintain ambient conditions for a set period oftime or until a user indicates he is awake. The gradual increase ofambient conditions may assist a user in waking up. In some embodiments,the relax phase 210 may simulate a sunrise. In other embodiments, theuser may select settings that they have found help them wake up.

The settings for each phase may be changed prior to the beginning of thephase or during the phase. The changes may be persistent or only lastfor one program cycle. In some embodiments, the changes made to a phasemay be averaged overtime. For example, if the user is falling to sleepat different times, the ambient sleep system may average the differenttimes. In yet other embodiments, the ambient sleep system may detectsleep patterns and adjust the phases accordingly. The user may selectcertain settings/ambient conditions as favorites. The ambient sleepmonitor may make suggestions on future sleep programs based on favoritesand past history. The scents, sounds, and lighting associated with eachphase may be different from each other. The changes may be mad via anapplication on a smart phone, or inputs on the ambient sleep system.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart of one embodiment of a method 300 for generatingambient sleep conditions based on sleep monitoring data. The steps ofFIG. 11 may be implemented by the ambient sleep system (e.g., ambientsleep system 100). The ambient sleep system may be configured toimplement the method 1100 by use of one or more instructions stored on amachine-readable storage medium. The storage medium may benon-transitory, such as a hard disk, solid-state memory, electricallyerasable memory, or the like.

An ambient condition controller may decrease 302 the intensity ofambient conditions. The decrease 302 may be gradual so as to encourage auser to relax and/or fall to sleep. A sleep monitoring device may detect304 that the user is asleep. Based on that detection, the ambientcondition controller may maintain 306 low intensity ambient conditions,such as a faint scent.

The sleep monitoring device may further detect 308 if the user is wakingup. The ambient sleep system may compare a current time to apreconfigured wake window 310. If the current time is prior 310 to thewake window, the ambient condition controller may increase 312 ambientconditions to a target intensity. The target intensity may be a fractionof an original intensity prior to decreasing 302 the intensity of theambient conditions. In some embodiments, the target intensity may be theintensity at the moment the user was detected 304 asleep. This slightincrease of intensity may assist the user in falling back to sleep. Ifthe current time is not prior 310 to the wake window, the ambientcondition controller may increase 314 the intensity of the ambientconditions sufficient to wake the user.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an ambient sleep system 400. In theillustrated embodiment, the ambient sleep system 400 includes a base 404and a shade 402. The ambient sleep system 400 embodiment shown is sizedand shaped to function as a lamp on an end table. In other embodiments,the ambient sleep system may be designed as a floor lamp.

The base 404 may include controls to configure the ambient sleep system400 based on user input. As shown, the controls may include a button406. The button 406 may be mechanical or capacitive and be configured toreceive a user input.

While the ambient sleep system 400 has only one control in theembodiment shown, the button 406 may be able to receive a plurality ofuser inputs. The user input may include but is not limited to a touch,swipe, or hold. Each user input may control different aspects of theambient sleep system 400. For example, touching the button 406 may causethe lights of the ambient sleep system 400 to turn on. Whereas, swipingacross the button 406 in an upward direction may increase the audiovolume of the ambient sleep system.

The ambient sleep system 400 action (e.g., adjust lighting, scent, orsound) associated with a user input may vary based on a variety offactors. In some embodiments, the user inputs trigger different actionsbased on the time the user input was received. For example, pressing thebutton 406 at night may begin a sleep program, and pressing the button406 in the morning may begin a wake program. In some embodiments,environmental factors, may alter the action associated with a userinput. For example, the ambient sleep system 400 may include a lightsensor that detects the presence and intensity of exterior light. Basedon the intensity of exterior light, the ambient sleep system 400 mayadjust its initial light output when a user input associated withturning on the light is received. In some embodiments, the user inputstrigger different actions based on the current state of the ambientsleep system 400. For instance, a user input received during a sleepprogram may cause a different action than a user input received after awake program.

The shade 402 may be semi-opaque and configured to diffuse light. Insome embodiments, the shade 402 is configured to be more translucent tocertain light wavelengths. In such embodiments, the brightness of theambient sleep system depends on the intensity and frequency of thesystem lights. In some embodiments, a plurality of shades with varyingopacities are interchangeable to alter the lighting of the ambient sleepsystem 400.

In the illustrated embodiment, the shade 402 includes an opening forscents to pass. In some embodiments, a shade may be permeable, therebyallowing the scent to be released without an opening. The opening mayhouse a director 410. The director 410 may alter the amount of eachscent and/or the direction at which the scent is released.

FIG. 5 is a top view of an ambient sleep system 400. The director 410may direct scents as they are released from the ambient sleep system400. As shown, the director 410 may include a vent 510 and a notch 512.The vent 400 is angled relative to the top of the ambient sleep system400 to direct any escaping scents in a lateral direction. In someembodiments, the angle may be selectively adjusted by the user or theambient sleep system 400. The notch 512 may assist a user in adjustingthe direction of the vent 400. For instance, a user may insert a fingerin the notch and rotate the director. In some embodiments, rotating thedirector may alter how multiple scents are blended.

FIG. 6 is a cutaway view of an ambient sleep system 400, according toone embodiment. The ambient sleep system 400 may include a processor660, ambient condition controller 670, and a storage medium 662. Thestorage medium has instructions that, when executed by the processor660, cause the processor 660 to implement an ambience program. Duringthe ambience program, the ambient condition controller 670 may adjustthe lighting, the sound, and/or the scent produced by the ambient sleepsystem 400.

The ambience program may be stored by the storage medium. In someembodiments, the ambience program may be stored by another device suchas a smartphone. The ambient sleep system 400 may receive an ambienceprogram stored on an external device through a physical connection, suchas a USB, or wirelessly. In some embodiments, the ambience program mayadjust based on what external device is in communication with theambient sleep system 400.

The ambient condition controller 670 controls the illumination device674, diffusing system 672, and speaker 650 of the ambient sleep system400 to generate an ambient condition. For example, the ambient conditioncontroller system 400 may receive a desired ambient condition from auser, and the ambient condition controller 670 may alter the state ofthe ambient sleep system 400 to generate a corresponding visual,auditory, and olfactory scene. In some embodiments, the ambientcondition controller 670 may be configured to control external systems.

The illumination device 674 may include internal lighting as shown. Insome embodiments, the lighting may include light-emitting diodes. Theillumination device 674 may adjust the lighting intensity, frequency,and color. In some embodiments, the ambient condition controller 670 mayalso control external room lighting.

In some embodiments, the illumination device 674 provides directionallight to assist a user. For example, the illumination device 674 mayprovide directional lighting suitable for reading. This may allow aperson to read a book in the same room that another person is sleeping.In some embodiments, the illumination device 674 may provide directionallighting to assist a user in walking around a room at night. Forinstance, the ambient sleep system 400 may detect a user getting out ofbed, and turn on a light that illuminates a path towards a door. Thedirection of the light path may be preset by the user, or a motiondetector may guide the direction of the light path. Providing a lightpath may provide visual assistance to the user without the need toilluminate the entire room. By not illuminating the entire room, otheroccupants of the room may not be disturbed and the user may have aneasier time going back to sleep when returning to bed.

The directional lighting may operate concurrently with an ambienceprograms to avoid interruption to the program. Alternatively, activationof the directional lighting may pause an ambience program. For example,in some embodiments, getting out of bed pauses a sleep program, andreturning to bed resumes the sleep program. In some embodiments, ansleep program continues to run while a directional reading light is inoperation.

The diffusing system 672 includes a plurality of diffusers (e.g.,diffuser 640 and 642). The diffusers 640, 642 may be configured todiffuse different scents. The scents may be dispersed individually or insome combination. In some embodiments, the diffusers 640, 642 may beultrasonic diffusers that break oil participles to micro-molecules todiffuse the oil into the air as ions. The diffusing system 672 maycontrol the rate at which each diffuser breaks apart particles.

The diffusing system 672 includes a fan 630 to assist scent dispersal.The speed of the fan 630 may be adjusted to alter the flow of scents. Asshown, a funnel 632 and a nozzle 634 direct the air flow from the fan630. The nozzle 634 is configured to guide the airflow towards thediffusers 640, 642. The nozzle 634 may provide control over the releasedcombination scents. For example, in some embodiments, the diffusingsystem 672 may pivot the nozzle 634 to increase airflow to a firstdiffuser and decrease airflow to a second diffuser. The fan 630 may alsocool the processor 660. The ambient condition controller 670 may alsouse the fan 630 as a white noise.

The ions diffused by the diffusers 640, 642 exit the ambient sleepsystem 400 through an exit funnel 620. The exit funnel 620 is split intotwo chamber 624, 626 by a divider 622. As shown, in some embodiments,the divider 622 may separate the ions until reaching the director 410.This may limit cross-contamination between the oils. The director 410may direct and mix the ions as they exit the vent 510.

FIG. 7 is a base 404 of an ambient sleep system 400, according to oneembodiments. The base 404 may be removed from the upper elements of theambient sleep system (e.g., shade 402 and exit funnel 620 in FIG. 6).This provides access to the diffusers to allow a user to refill thediffusers. As shown, in some embodiments, the speaker 650 may beconfigured to project sound out of the bottom of the ambient sleepsystem 400. The feet 704 of the base 404 may hold the base 404 above asurface prevent muffled sound from the speaker 650. The base 404 alsoincludes a plurality of interfaces.

As shown, in some embodiments, the base 404 may include multiple USBports 764 and an audio output 766. The USB ports 764 may provide powerto personal electronic devices. USB connection to pair with personalelectronic devices. In some embodiments, ambient sleep system 400 mayrequire a physical connection through the USB ports 764 with a personalelectronic device for an initial pairing to increase security. Theambient sleep system 400 may control settings on the personal electronicdevice through the USB pports 764.

FIG. 8 is an ambient sleep system 400 with a replacement shade 802,according to one embodiment. As shown, the shad 402 in FIG. 4 has beenreplaced with replacement shade 802. As shown, in some embodiments, thereplacement shade 802 provides an alternative aesthetic design.

In some embodiments, the replacement shade 802 provides additionalfunctionalities. For example, apertures 804 may selectively providedirectional lighting. For example, in some embodiments, the aperturesmay be placed at varying angles and be configured to open and close todirect light in a specific direction. The light may be from the base404. In some embodiments, the shade 802 may include a plurality of lightemitting diodes. The replacement shade's 802 light emitting diodes mayhave a different range of temperatures, colors, and flicker rates thanthe lights in the base 404. The coupling between the base 404 and thereplacement shade 802 may provide an electrical connection for power andcommunication. Additional functionalities of replacement shades mayinclude directing, modifying, or amplify sounds and scents.

Coupling the replacement shade 802 to the base 404 may automaticallyupdate or load ambience programs. The updated or new ambience programsmay be based on the characteristics and functionalities of thereplacement shade 802. In some embodiments, ambience programs associatedwith replacements shades are preloaded on the ambient sleep system 400,and coupling one of the replacement shades unlocks ambience programscorresponding to that replacement shade. The coupling may be physical orelectrical connections. For example, in some embodiments the replacementshade 802 may change the positions of a plurality of switches on thebase 404. In some embodiments, an NFC tag on the replacement shade 802may be read by an NFC reader on the base 404.

Any methods disclosed herein comprise one or more steps or actions forperforming the described method. The method steps and/or actions may beinterchanged with one another. In other words, unless a specific orderof steps or actions is required for proper operation of the embodiment,the order and/or use of specific steps and/or actions may be modified.

References to approximations are made throughout this specification,such as by use of one or more of the terms “about,” “approximately,”“substantially,” and “generally.” For each such reference, it is to beunderstood that, in some embodiments, the value, feature, orcharacteristic may be specified without approximation. For example,where such a qualifier is used, the term includes within its scope thequalified word in the absence of the qualifier.

Reference throughout this specification to “an embodiment” or “theembodiment” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristicdescribed in connection with that embodiment is included in at least oneembodiment. Thus, the quoted phrases, or variations thereof, as recitedthroughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to thesame embodiment. Similarly, it should be appreciated that in the abovedescription of embodiments, various features are sometimes groupedtogether in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for thepurpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure,however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that anyembodiment requires every feature shown in a particular drawing.

Unless otherwise noted, the terms “a” or “an” are to be construed asmeaning “at least one of.” In addition, for ease of use, the words“including” and “having” are interchangeable with and have the samemeaning as the word “comprising.” Recitation of the term “first” withrespect to a feature or element does not necessarily imply the existenceof a second or additional such feature or element.

We claim:
 1. A system for generating ambient conditions to improvesleep, comprising: a processor; an ambient condition controllercomprising at least two diffusers capable of dispersing at least twodifferent scents in communication with the processor; and acomputer-readable non-transitory storage medium having instructionsthat, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to implement asleep program comprising: configuring the ambient condition controllerto enter a first state to disperse a first scent, the first statecorresponding to a user falling to sleep, configuring the ambientcondition controller to enter a second state to disperse a second scent,the second state corresponding to the user being asleep, and configuringthe ambient condition controller to enter a third state to disperse athird scent, the third state corresponding to the user waking up withina target time period.
 2. The system of claim 1, further comprising areceiver in communication with the processor, the receiver to receivesleep monitoring data from a sleep monitoring device, wherein theprocessor uses the sleep monitoring data to determine the sleep state ofthe user when configuring the ambient condition controller.
 3. Thesystem of claim 2, wherein the sleep monitoring data is used todetermine a length of time for the ambient condition controller toremain in the first, second, and third states.
 4. The system of claim 2,wherein the second state increases the second scent in response todetermining the user is walking up prior to the target time period. 5.The system of claim 1, wherein the ambient condition controller furthercomprises a speaker and an illumination device, and wherein the first,second and third states adjust hues of the illumination device, lumensproduced by the illumination device, and sounds emitted by the speakerto produce three unique ambient conditions.
 6. The system of claim 1,further comprising an interface configured to receive a first user inputindicating that the user desires to reduce a length of time spent in thefirst state while the ambient condition controller is in the firststate.
 7. The system of claim 1, further comprising a clock, wherein thefirst, second, and third states are configured to automatically beginand end based on the clock.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the first,second, and third states are user configurable.
 9. The system of claim1, wherein the first state disperses a quantity of the first scent whenthe ambient condition controller is initially configured to enter thefirst state, and wherein the quantity of the scent is decreased whilethe ambient condition controller remains in the first state.
 10. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the third state disperses a quantity of thethird scent when the ambient condition controller is initiallyconfigured to enter the third state, and wherein the quantity of thescent is increased while the ambient condition controller remains in thethird state.
 11. A system for generating ambient conditions to improvesleep, comprising: a processor; an ambient condition controller incommunication with the processor; a receiver in communication with theprocessor, the receiver to receive sleep monitoring data from a sleepmonitoring device; and a computer-readable non-transitory storage mediumhaving instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause theprocessor to implement a sleep program comprising: determining a sleepstate of a user based on the received sleep monitoring data, configuringthe ambient condition controller to enter a first state in response todetermining the user is awake and attempting to fall to sleep,configuring the ambient condition controller to enter a second state inresponse to determining the user is awakening prior to a target timeperiod, configuring the ambient condition controller to enter a thirdstate in response to determining the user is awakening within a targettime period,
 12. The system of claim 11, wherein the sleep programfurther comprises configuring the ambient condition controller to entera fourth state in response to determining the user is asleep.
 13. Thesystem of claim 11, wherein the ambient condition controller comprisesat least two diffusers capable of dispersing at least two differentscents.
 14. The system of claim 13, wherein the ambient conditioncontroller disperses a first scent when in the first state, a secondscent when in the second state, and a third scent when in the thirdstate.
 15. The system of claim 14, wherein the first and second scentsare different quantities of the same scent.
 16. The system of claim 11,wherein the ambient condition controller comprises a speaker and anillumination device, and wherein the first, second and third statesadjust hues of the illumination device, lumens produced by theillumination device, and sounds emitted by the speaker to produce threeunique ambient conditions.
 17. The system of claim 11, wherein a lengthof time that the ambient condition controller spends in the third stateis proportional to a length of time remaining in the target time periodwhen it is determined the user is awakening.
 18. The system of claim 11,wherein the ambient condition controller remains in the first stateuntil the sleep monitoring data indicates that the user is asleep. 19.The system of claim 11, further comprising a transmitter to transmit asignal to a personal electronic device, and wherein the transmittersends a signal requesting that the personal electronic device changesettings when the ambient condition controller enters the first andthird states.
 20. The system of claim 11, wherein the sleep programfurther comprises: configuring the ambient condition controller to entera fourth state in response to determining the user is in a rapid eyemovement stage of sleep; and configuring the ambient conditioncontroller to enter a fifth state in response to determining the user isin a non-rapid eye movement stage of sleep.